Changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters in debeaked pheasant hens during the laying period

Abstract

Changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period were monitored in pheasant hens kept in a cage system. Thermal cauterization of one-third of the upper part of the beak was performed before the birds were placed in the cage at the beginning of the laying period. Randomly selected pheasant hens were sampled for haematological and biochemical analysis at the beginning of the laying period, and the same hens were subsequently sampled after 6 and 12 weeks of the laying period. The results showed significant changes in the monitored haematological and biochemical parameters during egg laying. At the time when laying capacity approached a maximum, a fall was seen (P<0.05) in haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocytes and plasma glucose values, whereas leukocytes, lymphocytes, basophils and plasma uric acid exhibited an increase (P<0.05). At the end of the laying period, a higher (P<0.05) count of leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, plasma alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, lactate and calcium concentrations were seen, whereas for haematocrit, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, plasma total protein, and glucose lower (P<0.05) values were recorded in comparison with the values of the given indicators at the beginning of the laying period. The results determined provide new information about the dynamics of selected haematological and biochemical indicators in clinically healthy common pheasant layers during the course of the laying period

Keywords

• biochemistry
• captive-rearing
• egg laying
• haematology
• pheasant

Changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters in debeaked pheasant hens during the laying period

Abstract

Changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period were monitored in
pheasant hens kept in a cage system. Thermal cauterization of one-third of the upper part of the beak was performed before the birds
were placed in the cage at the beginning of the laying period. Randomly selected pheasant hens were sampled for haematological and
biochemical analysis at the beginning of the laying period, and the same hens were subsequently sampled after 6 and 12 weeks of the
laying period. The results showed significant changes in the monitored haematological and biochemical parameters during egg
laying. At the time when laying capacity approached a maximum, a fall was seen (P<0.05) in haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocytes
and plasma glucose values, whereas leukocytes, lymphocytes, basophils and plasma uric acid exhibited an increase (P<0.05). At the
end of the laying period, a higher (P<0.05) count of leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, plasma alanine
aminotransferase, uric acid, lactate and calcium concentrations were seen, whereas for haematocrit, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio,
plasma total protein, and glucose lower (P<0.05) values were recorded in comparison with the values of the given indicators at the
beginning of the laying period. The results determined provide new information about the dynamics of selected haematological and
biochemical indicators in clinically healthy common pheasant layers during the course of the laying period. 

Keywords

• Changes
• haematological
• biochemical

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